This is the fourth consecutive season Summerfield has been in the playoffs, although the Bulldogs were in Division 7 the last three years.

Westside Christian has only 69 students and has the smallest enrollment of any school in the state's 11-man playoffs.

"This is the third year they've had a program," Johnson said.

Westside was 7-2 last season, but was not allowed to participate in the MHSAA playoffs because it has traveled to Tennessee to play in an national Christian schools tournament the year before.

Even though the Detroit school has a tiny enrollment, almost half of its students play football.

"They've got 25 or 30 on the roster. They have a quarterback who has passed for almost 1,900 yards and a running back with 1,100," Johnson said. "They have a good program."

Monroe coach Eric Redmond had to shift gears in his preparations. Friday night, Redmond guessed that Monroe would host Bedford in a District that also would include Dearborn Fordson and Dearborn.

"I didn't know it would be Pioneer until 7:50 last night," Redmond said this morning.

He was caught by surprise during the televised selection show when the state placed Monroe and Bedford in the District with Pioneer and Brighton.

"We spent a lot of time on Bedford. I guess the good news is we also know a lot about Pioneer," Redmond said.

Pioneer beat both Bedford and Monroe on its way to the Southeastern Conference title, although its game with Monroe went into overtime.

Airport has qualified for the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, the longest streak in Region history. But the Jets figure to get a good test from Adrian of the Southeastern Conference's White Division. Half of Adrian's losses came when outstanding quarterback Sebastian Johnson was injured and did not play. He returned to the lineup Friday.

Injury depleted Ida faces a huge challenge at tournament-savvy Lumen Christi, which has won eight state titles. JLC has a below-its-normal standards 6-3 record but played a strong schedule and has the highest playoff average in a District that also includes 7-2 Dundee.

The Vikings will have their first home playoff game since 1992.

Bedford must pick up the pieces after a crushing 7-6 loss to Jefferson Friday. Brighton closed the regular season with five wins and its only loss was 21-18 to state-ranked Granc Blanc.

Monroe Events
click to expand

About

We're an afternoon daily with morning weekend editions. Monroe County is our specialty. The Monroe News is your only source for local news, high school sports, photos, events, crime and more in Monroe County, MI.